Honey-Spiced Ethiopian Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon
Fragrant Ethiopian-style coffee brewed with fragrant cardamom and cinnamon sticks, sweetened with honey for a warming finish. This ethiopian-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 20 minutes brings together water, freshly ground Ethiopian coffee, pods green cardamom pods, crushed for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 40 calories and feeds 4, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 4 tbsp freshly ground Ethiopian coffee
- 4 pods green cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
- 2 tbsp honey
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium saucepan, bring 4 cups water to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Step 2: Add 4 crushed green cardamom pods and 1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick to the boiling water, reducing heat to low and simmering for 5 minutes to infuse the spices.
- Step 3: Add 4 tbsp freshly ground Ethiopian coffee to the spiced water, stir, and simmer gently for 3 minutes without boiling to extract rich flavors.
- Step 4: Remove from heat and let grounds settle for 2 minutes.
- Step 5: Strain the coffee through a fine mesh sieve or coffee filter into a serving pot.
- Step 6: Stir in 2 tbsp honey while warm until dissolved.
- Step 7: Serve immediately in small cups, enjoying the aromatic and sweet spiced brew.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Honey-Spiced Ethiopian Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon take to make?
Total time is about 20 minutes (5 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Honey-Spiced Ethiopian Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
Refrigerate any leftover honey-spiced ethiopian coffee with cardamom and cinnamon in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Honey-Spiced Ethiopian Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Honey-Spiced Ethiopian Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Honey-Spiced Ethiopian Coffee with Cardamom and Cinnamon?
Ethiopian cocktails & drinks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
